The purchase price of premium Chinese tomatoes lately reached as much as 5.8 yuan [0.83 USD] per 0.5 kg. The wholesale price is around 6 yuan [0.86 USD] per 0.5 kg, and this includes both premium and slightly second-grade tomatoes. That is an increase of 30% in comparison with the price of last year. The price remains high this year because the tomato production volume declined throughout the country. The production volume in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia declined by 40%-50%, while the production volume in Shandong dropped by 30%. This trend began in November and is still ongoing. The main reason for the production decline this year is plant disease.
The price is expected to remain high until the first of May. The tomato supply significantly grows after the first of May. The new seedlings also look good. Although the production volume declined and the purchase price increased, the retail price can not rise too much. Tomato supply from Shandong production areas is limited at the moment, but supply from production areas in Inner Mongolia and Sichuan is relatively large.
Source: cnveg.org